DNK International By Our Reporter,Nairobi.
A fresh controversy is brewing in the energy sector after grassroots lobby group Mtetezi through its convener Francis Awino raised alarm over what it describes as a “dangerous and contradictory” policy shift on fuel quality standards
He warned of serious implications for public health, governance, and accountability.
In a strongly worded press statement issued on Sunday, the Grassroots Economic Justice Movement accused the government of considering the relaxation of fuel sulphur limits to allow entry of lower quality fuel into the market ostensibly to prevent shortages.
The group termed the move a sharp and troubling reversal, pointing to recent government actions that saw the rejection of a high sulphur fuel consignment between March 20 and 25, 2026.
The fallout from that incident led to the dismissal of top officials in the energy sector, including senior figures at the Ministry of Energy, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), and the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC).
At the time, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi assured Parliament that Kenya had adequate fuel supplies under the Government to Government (G2G) import framework and that quality standards remained intact.
However, Mtetezi now questions why the government appears to be reconsidering fuel with similar or even lower standards just weeks later.
“This contradiction is not only confusing,it is unacceptable and potentially illegal,” the statement reads.
The movement is also demanding answers from Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui, raising concerns about whether Parliament and the public may have been misled regarding the country’s fuel reserves and quality controls.
Among the key questions posed are whether the earlier fuel shortage was genuine or artificially created, and whether the same rejected consignment is now being reintroduced through the backdoor.
Mtetezi further questioned the rationale behind the dismissal of senior officials if the standards they were accused of violating are now under review.
“This is not policy evolution. This is a policy contradiction and grand corruption,” said Awino.
The lobby group has issued a 72 hour ultimatum demanding clear explanations from the two Cabinet Secretaries, warning that failure to respond will trigger nationwide protests next week targeting their offices and calling for their resignation.
The unfolding dispute adds to growing scrutiny over fuel procurement practices in Kenya, with stakeholders warning that any compromise on fuel quality could have far reaching consequences on vehicle performance, environmental safety, and public trust in regulatory institutions.
[DNK-International@May 3,2026]
